Author: Richard Sullivan

Here are some videos I’ve compiled on the topic of political beliefs and ideology in the United States. Given our politically divided times, this seemed like a relevant theme to explore. The goal of the playlist is to give some historical context, highlight key philosophical and moral differences, and show how liberalism and conservatism relate […]

Here’s a guest column I wrote for our university newspaper about a troubling trend we are seeing on campus recently: graduates leaving their own commencement ceremony before it’s over. I’d love to hear from others about what they think and whether this is happening on other campuses too… Next week four thousand ISU students wearing […]

Here is an episode from The Hidden Brain, of one of my favorite radio programs that uses social science and storytelling to explain the hidden patterns behind our behavior and beliefs (it’s also a podcast). In this segment the host explores the role unconscious racial bias might play in recent police shootings of unarmed black […]

Here’s an alarming look at the “romantic” norms of contemporary college life. Lisa Wade, sociologist at Occidental College, has done extensive research into the unspoken but powerful rules that govern the culture of casual sex on college campuses. She is the guest on this episode of the “Hidden Brain” podcast.

Here’s an episode from the “No Jargon” podcast that discusses the difficulty many students are having paying for their college education and how this impacts them and their families. It also grapples with the prospects of realizing the American Dream when the surest path to upward mobility is prohibitively expensive. The guest on this episode […]

Here is a link to an episode of “This American Life” I heard recently that explores the phenomenon of guys catcalling women. If you’ve ever wondered why some dudes whistle, shout at or even grab women they don’t know, give it a listen. It’s both fascinating and a little disturbing especially in the context of […]

One of the most valuable sources of news and analysis I’ve found in recent years is a program called “On The Media”. It’s a weekly show produced by WNYC, a public radio station in New York. The show offers insightful analysis of current events and critically examines how the media covers them. I learn something […]

Ever wonder why income inequality in the U.S. is so extreme? Here is one big reason why: This graphic compares the portion of income received by the richest 10% and the portion of the workforce who are union members. Note that those at the top earners take a larger share of the nation’s income when […]